SATURDAY, June 19 (HealthDay News) -- Summer activity-related
head injuries appear to be on the rise, warns the American
Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), and bicycling, water
sports and baseball/softball are the main culprits.
The cautionary note comes from an analysis of head injury trends
as they transpired between 2008 and 2009, based on data gathered by
the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The figures revealed that the nearly 447,000 sports-related head
injuries treated in U.S. emergency rooms in 2009 represented an
annual bump of almost 95,000.
One good bit of news from the analysis was that
trampoline-related head injuries declined modestly in 2009.
However, these were the only sports-related head injuries from the
list of 2008's top 20 sports that showed any decline
whatsoever.
Over the one-year period: head injuries from water-related
activities rose from about 11,200 to over 28,700; the number of
biking-related head injuries rose from more than 70,800 to nearly
85,400; baseball- and softball-related head injuries climbed from
almost 27,000 to just under 38,400, according to the analysis.
Focusing specifically on biking and water-related injuries, the
AANS found that cell-phone use is a growing contributor to the risk
for serious injuries such as concussions, lacerations and fractures
among those riding bicycles.
With respect to water-related injuries, the organization found
that diving into shallow water, running along the deck of swimming
pools, and rough or irresponsible play near pools accounts for many
cases of head-related trauma.
"By taking a minute or two to use your head, you can help prevent potentially life-altering and tragic consequences," Dr. Gail Rosseau, a Chicago-area neurosurgeon and AANS spokeswoman, said in an association news release.
To prevent biking accidents, the organization encourages riders
to use helmets, obey traffic signals, avoid uneven surfaces, wear
bright colors and reflectors at night, and avoid cell phone
use.
To increase water safety, AANS advocates for adult supervision
of young children, careful diving in conjunction with accurate
water-depth information, keeping gates locked around backyard
pools, avoiding alcohol consumption during water-related
activities, following posted instructions at public places, and
enforcing a strict ban on potentially dangerous rough play.
More information
For more on brain injuries, visit the
U.S. National Center for Injury Prevention and
Control.